QS Best Student Cities ranking: Joint 85th
Up 10 places this year thanks to improved ratings for employer activity and desirability, Manila is the capital city of the Philippines, and has been nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ due to its central location on Pacific trade routes. Founded in 1571 by Spanish colonialists, the city has a large number of significant cultural and architectural landmarks, including the historic walled city of Intramuros, which was the seat of government during Spanish colonial rule in the 16th century.
Other popular sites include Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world; the historic Manila Cathedral; and Rizal Park, an important site in the country’s history, which features gardens, monuments, artworks and an open-air auditorium that puts on free music, theater and dance performances. The city is home to a large number of museums, including the National Museum of Fine Arts, as well as a host of beautiful architecture reflecting a mixture of American, Spanish, Chinese, and Malaysian influences.
This city is considered one of the best shopping destinations in Asia, with major shopping malls and bazaars. International students will also enjoy exploring Manila’s popular hidden bars, modern galleries, lively indie music scene, and a range of delicious street food.
Manila is the Philippines’ educational center, with a high concentration of universities found in the unofficial ‘University Belt’ district, all within walking distance of each other. This includes the oldest university in both the country and Asia – the University of Santo Tomas, which was founded in 1611. The language of instruction at most universities is English.
Manila ranks within the top 10 cities for affordability in the QS Best Student Cities 2019, with an ideal combination of low tuition fees and living costs.
Are you studying in Manila? Tell us what you think.
Internationally ranked universities in Manila
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University of the Philippines; Ateneo de Manila University; De La Salle University; University of Santo Tomas |
More about Manila
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Number of universities ranked by QS |
4 |
|
Highest-ranked institution |
University of the Philippines (joint 356th) |
|
Population |
12,877,000 |
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Average international fees (at ranked unis) |
US$2,400 |
|
Desirability rank |
103rd |
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Employer Activity rank |
95th |
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Affordability rank |
9th |
|
Student View rank |
72nd |
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
